With seven thousand islands, the Philippines has many cities. Listed below are the ten most important cities for visitors, some of which are provincial capitals and centres of commerce and finance, as well as culture and history.
Manila - the national capital, is one of the most densely populated cities in the world - with all of that implies in terms of pollution, crime, urban poverty and traffic jams - with few parks. However, the smiling, stoical and resourceful people themselves are its saving grace, rather than the relatively few surviving monuments, historical landmarks and sights widely scattered around the city and its surrounding metropolitan area of Metro Manila. Manila has a reputation as a congested, polluted concrete jungle, and is often overlooked as a mere stopover for travelers aiming to reach other Philippine provinces or islands. To an extent this reputation is deserved, but Manila is nevertheless rapidly developing and has its own rich history and experiences to offer. The city is sprawling, bustling, and culturally complicated, with a colorful multi-cultural heritage and varied nightlife.Manila is often described as the only capital city in Asia that's not an Orientalist's wet dream. A foreigner may be surprised that a local looks just like any Asian, but wears mostly T-shirt and jeans, can speak fluent English, reads and writes in Roman text and is not at home with chopsticks. As we now see it, Manila is more modern and western judging from the steel and glass skyscrapers dotting the skyline.
Bacolod - is the capital city of the province of Negros Occidental in the Philippines. It is known as the City of Smiles because of its MassKara Festival, a Mardi Gras-like festival and a spectacular vivid mix of dance, color and music. Bacolod is also known as the Land of Sweet People, and is known for its culinary heritage, including its inasal (a kind of roast chicken on skewers) and sweet dessert treats.
Baguio - is a city on the Cordillera Administrative Region in the middle of the island of Luzon, in the Philippines. Due to its cool mountain weather, Baguio is considered the summer capital of the Philippines. Because of its many pine trees it is also called the City of Pines, as well as being the home of the "Igorot", the indigenous peoples of the Cordilleras.
Cebu - is the "Queen City of the South" onCebu Island in the Philippines and is one of the most popular destinations in all of the Philippines for foreign visitors with the busiest sea port in the Philippines and the second largest Air hub.For over 200 years, the second largest and most important city in the country, it is currently the fastest growing large city in the nation with an annual growth of over 5% per year.Perhaps surprisingly for such a booming metropolitan area, it has white sand beaches (some with ice cream vendor and showers and some untouched), as well as historical sites that reflect its cosmopolitan past. Cebu was in at the birth of Christian proseletising in Asia when it became one of the early commercial hubs between Mexico and China.The language spoken in Cebu City is Cebuano which is also known as Bisaya. Many speak English as a second language as well as Tagalog. Sometimes, they also speak in Taglish (Tagalog + English) when they cannot find the appropriate word to use. The youth and the modern generation speak English with a Cebuano accent, often interchanging i and e as well as o and u while the ones from the older generations can barely converse in it. Some people will also understand a little of Ilonggo or Waray. The Chinese minority speak Hokkien, a minority of expatriates and immigrants speak their own languages.
Cagayan de Oro - known as the "City of Golden Friendship", it is popular for whitewater rafting and is the gateway to Northern Mindanao.
Davao - one of the largest cities in the world in terms of land area, it is known for its durian and for being the home of Mount Apo, the Philippines' tallest mountain. Davao city is considered by many to be the most crime-free area in the country. Tourists are guarded not only by the police, but also by the people around.Cebuano/Bisaya is the native language used in Davao. English and Tagalog are also widely used and understood by the people.
Lapu-Lapu City - is located in Mactan Island, Cebu. Home of datu Lapu Lapu.
Tagbilaran - is the Capital of Bohol and the main point of entry to the island, including nearby Panglao Island. The city is a start-off point to Bohol province's attractions: the Chocolate Hills, Tarsier, white sandy beaches, dive spots, heritage sites and old stone churches. Home to several hotels, resorts, and restaurants, the city has recently become a venue for national conventions and gatherings. known as the site of the Sandugo (blood compact) between Spanish conquistador Miguel López de Legazpi and Rajah Sikatuna representing the people of Bohol.
Vigan - the capital of Ilocos Sur and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, its well-preserved city center is the finest example of Spanish colonial architecture in the Philippines. Vigan is in Northern Luzon. Its Spanish colonial influence in local architecture and old-world charm make it a unique city in the Philippines.
Zamboanga City - is in the Mindanao region of the Philippines. Known as the City of Flowers (the etymology of Zamboanga comes from the malay word jambangan means garden of flowers), it is now one of the most important and busiest port cities in the Philippines. The Chavacano Language (popularly known as Zamboangueño Chavacano, which is based on 80% Spanish words, and 20% Italian, Portuguese, Quechua, Taino, Mexican-Indian, Nauhtl, Tagalog, Ilongo, Bisaya and other Philippine languages) made Zamboanga as "Asia's Latin City." This is also because of the same traditions with Spain, particularly the patroness Our Lady of the Pilar (which is also the Patroness of Spain). known as "La Ciudad Latina de Asia" (Asia's Latin City), it is the melting pot between the Philippines' Christian and Muslim cultures, boasting old mosques, grand churches and historic colonial structures.
